Children's Home run by Progress Children’s Services Ltd in Coventry

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as requires improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff make a positive impact on young people’s lives. In the words of one parent: ‘There’s been such an improvement from where we were last year. He now attends school, his behaviour is much calmer and staff have given me advice on how to manage him at home. I’ve got a whole new outlook.’ Since the last inspection, the new registered manager has actively addressed the shortfalls identified. Young people are now making good progress, underpinned by high-quality support and consistency from staff. Since the last inspection, two young people have been supported to move to more appropriate alternative provision. Their moves were well planned and staff prepared the young people effectively. The manager has strengthened his admissions process to make sure that the needs of the young people currently resident and staffing sufficiency are actively considered prior to any new admission. Young people are making good progress in all areas of their lives. All young people

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

consistently attend school and college. For some, this is a significant improvement on their starting points. All young people are making good progress with their learning. Young people attend all routine health appointments, and they maintain good health. They also access specialist services such as child and adolescent mental health services, ensuring that they receive all assistance required. Staff work alongside health professionals, such as school nurses, to ensure that young people’s health needs are met. Staff develop positive and nurturing relationships with young people. This supports young people to develop in confidence and self- esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff support young people to communicate their wishes and feelings. Staff listen and actively support them to express their views and contribute to meetings. This encourages young people to develop their social and communication skills, and to talk about the services that they receive and want in the future. Staff use a range of communication methods to ensure that all young people are able to contribute. Unfortunately, it is unclear from staff’s records how their views are used or influence the running of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people are preparing to move on from the service. They are learning the life skills that they will require in their new adult homes. Since the last inspection, the manager has improved young people’s preparation for adulthood. Staff support young people to complete structured, individualised independence programmes that build and develop their skills and knowledge. For example, staff have successfully supported one young person’s transition to college. He now sets his own alarm in the morning and has established a routine for getting ready for college. Staff are supporting him to access public transport independently for the first time. Staff are sensitive to his anxieties and provide positive reassurances to support smooth transitions in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people now benefit from robust behaviour management plans and risk assessments. Since the last inspection, the manager has strengthened this area of practice. Staff work in a supportive and structured way with young people to reduce negative and risk-taking behaviours. Some young people have made significant progress that has resulted in a reduction in incidents and the need for physical intervention. Staff’s records and the manager’s review of incidents of physical intervention have improved since the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A qualified and experienced manager leads the home. He became the registered manager for this home after the last inspection. He has a good understanding of the strengths and development needs of the home. The manager has responded promptly to the shortfalls identified at the last inspection. He has begun to evaluate the quality assurance processes. The manager now undertakes monthly auditing, which reviews young people’s files to ensure that they are current and contain appropriate information. Regular quality of care reviews are completed which monitor the progress achieved and identify areas for future progress. The views of family members, social workers and other professionals are considered. This means that the manager is able to assess effectively how the home meets the needs of the young people living there.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, staff recruitment has significantly improved. There is good consistency in the staff team and, since October 2016, no agency staff have been used. This supports continuity of care for young people. Most staff are qualified, and those who are unqualified are within the regulatory timescales to obtain their qualification.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have a good understanding of young people’s complex needs. Since the last inspection, the manager has prioritised staff training and has made sure that staff receive training in specialised areas to ensure that they have the appropriate knowledge and skills to meet the needs of those whom they care for. For example, staff have received specific training with regard to children on the autistic spectrum and on the issue of sexually harmful behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Parents and professionals comment positively on the partnership with staff and managers at the home. As one social worker commented, ‘Staff are flexible in their approach; they communicate well and are committed to working in partnership.’

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates the home. It provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have learning and/or physical disabilities .

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 04/10/2016 Full Requires improvement 09/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 14/07/2015 Full Good 31/03/2015 Full Good

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Ensure young people are able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon with particular reference following key-working sessions and children’s meetings. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the ‘Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection’.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children’s home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. the guidance, ‘Raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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